A terrific hike / trail run is the main trail up to Mt San Jacinto, which is located just outside of Palm Springs.
You take a tram a few miles up the side of the mountain.
It took me from the 90 degree April heat to a cool 55 degrees and snow!
I went about a quarter mile and snow covered the trail. A couple coming down the trail told me the trail disappeared and that I had little chance of getting to the top. I nodded and continued on. I figured even if I didn't make it I was where I wanted to be and ready to keep going. Although, I then realizes that I had forgotten my long sleeve shirt, jacket and cap. Whoops! Was in too much of a hurry to catch the tram, which only runs every 20 minutes. Oh well, glad I had bought a long sleeve San Jacinto t-shirt at the gift shop before I hit the trail.
Oh yes, there is snow. Where is the trail?
Love it!
The snow pack was hard enough that I didn't fall in.
I met a guy along the way who told me the peak was to the left. I take his word for it. But, alas, the peak really was to the right.
After a long traverse I got into a small cul-de-sac valley and the trail completely disappears. I decide to head straight up a snow slope.
I get to a saddle and go left.
Beautiful. I'm made it. What a view. Wait. What is that peak over there? It's higher than the one I am on. I'm on the wrong peak!
I headed back down to saddle and through large boulders and snow. I finally reached the true summit of Mt San Jacinto.
I looked back at the first peak I climbed. Okay, I was definitely on the higher peak now.
Beautiful.
Way, way down in the valley below [back and to the right] it was 95 degrees and Coachella was going on.
I'm sure it was cool but I was hearing the music of the mountains.
Total Time: Around 4 hours
